In 10 words, Brian Daboll summed up how he approaches his participation in the Giants’ NFL draft process.
“It’s OK to disagree. You’re not going to be disagreeable.”
That is how the Giants want it to work. Daboll as the head coach after the season ends does his best to catch up with general manager Joe Schoen, the personnel department and the scouting staff when it comes to getting up to speed on the college players projected as NFL prospects.
This year, the Giants have been especially fervent in their attention to studying the quarterbacks in this draft. Daboll digs in at all positions, but he considers himself to be an expert on all things quarterback-related and he has a long-standing system to evaluate and grade the players at that position.
Is there a chance that Daboll likes one quarterback better than Schoen does? Is there a chance Daboll is more bullish on taking a quarterback early and that Schoen is more willing to wait? Sure. That is why all these meetings and discussions and road trips take place — to form opinions, hash them out and come to a consensus. If a tie needs to be broken, Schoen breaks it.
“Ultimately, the decision falls on me,’’ Schoen said last week. “Ultimately, the final say typically goes with the general manager.”
Daboll said “it’s a process that I believe in. I got a lot of respect for everybody’s thoughts and opinions and the work that they put in.
“The conversations that we have, you know, Joe and I listen to a number of people, and then at the end of the day we’ll have a conversation and pick the player we think will best be suited for the New York Giants.’’
Russell Wilson agreed to play for the Giants on March 25 and since then he and his model/singer wife, Ciara, have enjoyed spending time at Madison Square Garden, given courtside seats to see the Knicks. They attended Game 1 of the Knicks-Pistons playoff series and Wilson embraced Jalen Brunson after the comeback victory.
“I’ve gotten to know Brunson over the last couple of years,’’ Wilson said. “Just a talented player, man. I just have a ton of respect for his game.”
Wilson said he also knows Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and “my guy” John Shackleton, the Knicks performance coach.
“That game the other night was special,’’ Wilson said. “The fourth quarter was really remarkable and how they came back. I think they went on a 21-0 run. What an electric crowd that was.’’
Two members of the 2024 draft class, TE Theo Johnson (foot) and S Tyler Nubin (ankle) missed the stretch run of their rookie season with injuries that required surgery. Both players said they are on schedule with their rehab.
